New Jersey's unemployment rate rose to 9.6 percent in June, the highest rate in two years.

The Labor Department says the four-week average of applications, a less volatile measure, fell 9,500 to 317,750. That is the fourth straight drop and the lowest level in six months. It brings applications in line with pre-recession levels.

The sustained decline suggests companies are confident enough about future growth to keep their staffs. Applications are a proxy for layoffs. Greater business confidence can also lead to more hiring.

About 3.3 million people received benefits in the week ending March 8, the latest data available. That was about 43,000 fewer than the previous week.